Georgia – Page 3 – tim mcmurdo

the one for uncle eddie

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Tim McMurdo

This barn is located just a few minutes from my parent's home in northern Georgia. My Uncle Eddie has had his eye on this barn for some time and though he has photographed it on several occasions, he has never been happy with the results. He asked me to give it a try so that we could compare results.

We packed up our gear and made the short drive. Unfortunately, the gorgeous morning light was on the back side of the building and we had to shoot the front in shade. We tried several angles and lenses & out of the dozen shots that I took, this is my favorite.

Now, I am looking forward to seeing Uncle Eddie's results.

last day

Posted on July 4, 2011 by Tim McMurdo

Meet my sister, Kelly.

And her husband, Bill. Notice that they are both wearing their best hiking gear… not! While both wore shorts, they also wore their dress shirts. Bill had his pen, glasses and case placed neatly in his shirt pocket. I don't think that Bill owns a single T-shirt. If I told you that Bill was a math teacher at a private school, would you be surprised?

I spent my last full day and night at their house in the North Georgia mountains. We had a really wonderful day of hiking and eating followed by some visiting with each other and finally, we capped the day off by going to bed early at 7:30. This seems to be very typical of my visits with them. We have a fantastic day, wear ourselves out and go to bed before the sun.

We started off by driving further into the mountains between Georgia and North Carolina. The day was relatively clear for a hot summer day and we could see for miles. The entire vista was uninterrupted nature. Mountains and forests without a sign of human habitation in site.

Once we were well into the mountains and near Highlands North Carolina, we stopped and went for a long hike at Glenn's Falls. The hike started through the forrest of tall pines, scrubby wild rhododendron and mountain laurel.

Eventually we found the falls. Three in all. They were wonderful to see and gave off a welcome cool mist. All told, we probably hiked two miles, all up and down hill. While Bill and I had appropriate hiking shoes, Kelly finished the entire trip wearing only a pair of beaded and bejeweled flip flops. Kelly kept asking how much further and Bill would only answer, just a little farther. Together they make a really warm couple to be around. They tease each other non stop and like to hold hands while they are walking.

On the way home, we stopped at Dry Falls, just a short walk from the highway. Typical of Bill's generosity, he wanted me to see the falls while we were up there. The wet spray coming from the falls resulted in spectacular green foliage and mosses along the trail

If you are ever in Northern Georgia and want to know of some local trails, just ask Bill. He might even go with you… just relax, ties are optional.

homeward bound

Posted on July 2, 2011 by Tim McMurdo

Today I am making the drive home after more than a week visiting with my family and friends in Georgia. I had a wonderful visit and while I was here, I made the grand tour of Atlanta and my families homes. I thought that for today's post, I would share with you some of the random images that represent what I will be remembering on my way home.

I'll be thinking about the good times and great people I spent my week with. I hope you are meeting with good friends and family while you are making memories of your own.

Happy Saturday

mr. lee’s house

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Tim McMurdo

Sitting amongst the modern subdivisions in my parent's semi-rural Georgia town sits Mr. Lee's home. He and his wife have lived there for many years and their house is a reminder of another time. Homes like Mr. Lee's are disappearing all over the south and I will miss them when they are all gone.

As a younger version of me, I can remember seeing more of these homes. I would often see the lady of the house out sweeping the yard and even the occasional flock of chickens. Of course, there were dogs out in the yard and under the porch.

I hope the Lee's have many happy years ahead of them. When the time comes for them to pass, I know their home will go with them. When they are gone, their children will probably sell the land and a huge McMansion will take the place of what I think is a fine home and a reminder of what used to be.

he’s my brother

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Tim McMurdo

Yes, I claim him. I know it's hard to believe but he is mine. Like all brothers, we have had a friendly rivalry for years. We need to show each other who is the most manly of men. We have categories like most hair, tallest, fattest, etc. We had to give up wrestling when we got older and neither one of us cold get on the floor or get up anymore (he always won so this was in my favor). For the record, I am taller but he has more hair. Our weight goes back and forth all the time so, I'll just call that a tie.

In reality, he is a pretty impressive human being (if you need a second opinion, he will explain why if you ask him). Let's see… he is part very successful software services sales engineer, part farmer and rancher, part hunter, part husband and father of three, part slum lord, and three parts legend in his own mind. He is smart, fairly good looking (almost as good looking as me), funny, big hearted, a terrifying driver, thoughtful, well spoken and a speak his mind kind of guy. No wonder I look up to him in many ways (though in doing so, I have to physically look down). Just look at the following two images.

The man has pet Canadian Geese! He has a large pond behind his house filled with about 20 geese, turtles, fish, musk rats, and the occasional beaver. Ordinarily this would be no big deal however, MY brother has them trained to come to dinner and hand feeds them! He even got me in on the act (the better looking but hair challenged one is me). We even pet them! Who does that? He is a regular Dr. Doolittle. He even has two pet horses and dogs to go with his geese. He picks up snakes! I run in terror from snakes and spiders, screaming like a little girl.

The man likes to get dirty but wears a good suit like he is a model in GQ (though Dude, you could use an update in your dress shoe style). When he walks into a room, he owns it. You know those beer commercials about the worlds most interesting man? I have always secretly thought they were modeled after my brother.

The real clincher is that he shares all of this with everybody around him. He wanted me to experience feeding the geese. He wanted me to know of the hidden windows at the aquarium (absolutely incredible views with no crowds).

So the next time you hear him telling one of is many incredible tales of his exploits, maybe hunting tigers on the back of his elephant while playing the violin, you will just have to consider for a moment and wonder… wow, did he really do that? I mean, he is a legend and there seems to be a lot of truth behind his wild stories. I have never been able to disprove any of them and have been witness to quite a few.

That's all for now, he just captured an alligator with his bare hands and is going to fry up some gator tail for me. I think we are going to wash it down with some beer he made with the barley he grew in his back yard during his spare time, just before he told the CIA where he had tracked down Bin Laden). Don't believe me? You prove otherwise!

As a final word to all of you out there with great brothers of your own… DREAM ON! This one is all mine! Get your own incredible brother. And you ladies? His wife will tear you to shreds so don't even think about it.

fishies, fishies everywhere

Posted on June 28, 2011 by Tim McMurdo

You know those days where everything clicks perfectly? All of your plans work out just like you envisioned. The people you are with are all having fun and enjoying being together. Sunday was a day just like that. After a fantastic breakfast and a bit of a sleep in, friends and family met together at the Georgia Aquarium. I had only been there once before, just after the place opened. At that time, the crowds were so large that I could not see anything. Sunday, the crowds were much smaller and we had time to stand or sit and watch the wonderful sea life.

Gerd and Cindy, Scott and Stephanie, Josh, and I… we made a pretty cool team. Everybody was just as enthralled with the watery critters.

We saw sharks, whales, porpoises, fish, crabs, snakes, rays, eels, star fish, jelly fish, otters, seals, and sea horses. I know that I must be forgetting many others. I was surprised at how well we were able to shoot through the thick glass. The tanks were well lit and we were standing in dim light, which led to vivid and bold blues and interesting silhouettes.

This image shows how I felt at the aquarium. Even as an adult, I was in wonder at what we were watching. If you are in Atlanta and have a few hours to spend, give some thought to visiting the Georgia Aquarium. You are guaranteed to come out feeling like a kid again. I would recommend Sundays through Thursday.

mushrooms

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Tim McMurdo

I've discovered these tiny little mushrooms growing under the tomato plants in my parents garden. They are only about two inches tall and come out in the early morning moisture. The afternoon heat dries them out but, they are back the next morning.

These images are inspired by Anna, who takes the most wonderful images of tiny mushrooms and fungi. Her images are almost etherial in nature and I have wanted to try my own hand at her style of image for some time now.

Auto focus is surprisingly difficult with these images. If I return to take another shot this week, I will switch to manual focus (not my strong point) and give it a go.

my boy

Posted on June 26, 2011 by Tim McMurdo

One of the many reasons that I love to visit Georgia as much as I can. This handsome face belongs to my Son, Josh. And for all of you single ladies out there, he is taken. Sorry for you loss.

lust

Posted on June 25, 2011 by Tim McMurdo

Yeah, I said it… lust.

I am drooling while I wait for these tomatoes to become ripe. Then look out, there will be a feeding frenzy of juicy red eating. How about a few slices with some salt and a drop of basalmic vinegar? Maybe a tomato sandwich with mayo. There are so many good choices and I am going to try them all out on these big red beauties. It is my duty after all.

What is your favorite way to eat a tomato?

curly willow

Posted on June 24, 2011 by Tim McMurdo

Have you ever seen a curly willow? They look like most willows but, have these really wonderful long narrow curly leaves. I caught this one yesterday morning after the rain. We've had a day and a half of rain and drizzle, much needed moisture in this area of parched earth. The cool temperatures have been welcome though, as the heat and sun return today, I am expecting some muggy heat.

Have a great Friday everybody.

Exposure	0.033 sec (1/30)
Aperture	f/5.6
Focal Length	50 mm
ISO Speed	1600